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PopSci Names Top Tech Innovations of 2003 -- Rutan's X-Prize
Entry Among Them

One of my favorite features from an old 'alma mater' (I did some
writing for them some years ago), is PopSci's Annual roundup of the
coolest technologies of the year. Each year, thousands of new
products and breakthrough technologies vie for the attention of
PopSci's Editors. But only the best of the bunch -- those products
that they think "inspire awe, envy, admiration" are included in the
Best of What's New, featured in the December issue... which also
turns out to be their most widely-read issue of the year.

The 16th annual Best of What's New, showcases the top 100 tech
innovations in 12 categories: Automotive Tech, Space &
Aviation, Cars, Computing, Gadgets, Home Entertainment, Home Tech,
Personal Health, Photography and Recreation -- along with two new
categories, Engineering and General Innovation. One winner in each
category is awarded the highest honor, Grand Award, in recognition
of products representing a leap over existing technologies.

Among the Grand Award winners are "some of the boldest, most
mind-blowing innovations we've ever surveyed," said Scott Mowbray,
editor in chief of Popular Science. "Best of What's New is the
culmination of a year's worth of searching, testing and deciding
from among a huge range of products -- all of which stand to change
the way we live, work and play. This year's picks range from a
13-second, low-dose, full-body x-ray machine to a privately funded
spaceplane and a safety system that helps vehicles steer clear of
collisions."

In the category of SPACE & AVIATION, Burt Rutan's WHITE
KNIGHT/SPACE SHIP ONE is the winner for 2003. Tier One is the first
viable civilian space program, featuring Space Ship One (the space
craft itself), and White Knight (the aircraft that ferries it up
before launch). Burt Rutan, its inventor, hopes to win the X-Prize
for the first civilian space flight later this year.